Champagne is generally associated with feelings of euphoric excess and the special occasions that prompt them -- New Year's Eve celebrations, weddings, birthdays, promotions. Even if you're in the mood to splurge, a large crowd or a tight budget can prompt the pursuit of cheap Champagne. From France to Spain, Italy, and California, there's enough excellent bubbly to go around for $10 or less. The challenge lies in knowing what you're buying. We considered online reviews and ratings from a variety of sources and consulted a wine expert to come up with our top picks.

If you think cheap white wine is only for grandma's spritzer, think again. There's a white wine -- costing no more than $10 to satisfy almost anyone's palate. Inexpensive white wines can complement a range of foods, brighten up a lazy summer afternoon, and make an excellent substitute for pre-dinner cocktails. White wines typically present fruity and/or floral flavors and aromas, sometimes offer a bit of spice and earthiness, and range in sugar content from bone dry to dessert-level sweet. We've made top picks based on tastings, ratings, reviews, and awards, on top of expert advice, and suspect wine drinkers will find at least one selection to suit both their sipping preferences and their budget.

Who needs a premium red wine when a thoroughly respectable bottle costs $10 or less? Frugal quaffers who know even a little bit about wine and aren't afraid to go with what they like will find many such bottles. There are hundreds of cheap red wines out there -- some barely worth the few dollars you'd pay but many worth drinking. With so many styles, grape varieties, producers, and labels to choose among, shopping can be a challenge. To guide wine drinkers through the thicket, we've made top picks based on tastings, ratings, reviews, awards, and expert advice. We've also selected a wide array of other inexpensive red wines fit to serve with a meal, bring to a party, or sip over the course of a quiet evening.

With just about two weeks left till Christmas, many shoppers are scrambling to find just the right gift for everyone on their holiday lists. If you're among them, don't sweat it. Our latest buying guides are full of ideas, from cheap and easy items from the dollar store to gifts every foodie will love to useful stocking stuffers to gifts for pets, there's something for everyone. Still unsure? Our guide to stores with the most and least generous return policies can make purchasing any gift less stressful. And if all the running around this holiday season has you wondering just how many miles you're racking up, check out our guide to the best, cheap fitness trackers, which can also help focus your fitness goals in the new year. Also new on the blog this week: smart tax moves to make before year-end, how to put your family on a budget, incredible gingerbread house displays across the continent, and more. Updated Buying Guides: Best Cheap Champagne. A buying guide to cheap champagne -- more properly known as sparkling wine -- that can do a celebration proud for less than $10 a bottle. New and Updated Blog Posts: 19 Cheap Holiday Gifts for Pets. Here are 19 holiday gift ideas that furry friends are sure to appreciate. Pet owners will take delight in them, as well. 11 Hangover 'Cures' Debunked. All those alleged hangover cures are little more than myths. There's only one cheap and simple cure that works. Top Fitness Trackers Under $50 to Get You Moving. Get fitter faster with top-rated fitness trackers under $50. Measure calories and get motivated to be more active throughout the day with instant feedback. 25 Delectable Gifts Under $25 for Foodies. From onion goggles to truffle oil, these cheap and practical gifts will keep the gourmet sated and happily cooking all year long. 12 Stocking Stuffers They'll Actually Use. Don't waste money by waiting until the last minute to buy stocking stuffers. These great, practical ideas start as low as $2. 10 Smart Tax Moves to Make Before the End of the Year. Taking steps such as making charitable donations, contributing to a 401(k), and making an extra mortgage payment before the end of the year can help lower 2015 taxes. 10 Toast-Worthy Sparkling Wines for $10 or Less. Any of these 10 budget-priced and flavorful sparkling wines will add festive good cheer to holiday celebrations -- and also deserve a place at the table year-round. 11 Ways to Put Your Family on a Budget for the New Year. Start the new year right with these 11 budgeting tips to get your financial house in order and help your family get on the right path. 12 Holiday Gifts You Can Get at the Dollar Store. Whether you're shopping for family, friends, or co-workers, dollar stores are a convenient source for inexpensive holiday gifts. 16 Incredible Gingerbread House Displays That Are Worth a Trip. Elaborate and mostly edible, these 16 gingerbread houses are anything but tame. Plan a trip, check out the displays, and maybe even take a piece home. 25 Places to Go for Spectacular New Year's Eve Fireworks. Catch the New Year's Eve fireworks displays in these 25 places, many of which also host free and family-friendly activities to usher in 2017. Love Chocolate? 10 Places You Have to Try the Hot Cocoa. Whether you're in New York, Chicago, or Austin, gourmet hot cocoa is a great way to warm up -- here are some of the best cups of liquid heaven across the country. Best 'Main Street' Shopping Districts in All 50 States. Here are 50 great places to shop while enjoying small town scenery, setting, people, and pace, all far, far away from crowded, chaotic megamalls. 10 Stores With Strict Return Policies. Some retailers are more forgiving about returns during the holiday season, but these 10 stores have strict return policies every shopper should know. 13 Stores With Amazing Return Policies. Holiday shopping is stressful enough without having to worry about returning an item. These 13 stores offer generous return policies -- and peace of mind. 11 Inexpensive Winter Cruises to Sunny Destinations. Winter can be exactly the right season to land a huge bargain on a getaway cruise to someplace warm and sunny like the Bahamas or Puerto Vallarta. 8 Ways to Give to Charity and Get a Tax Break for 2016. Tax-deductible donations to charity pay off personally and financially. Here are eight tips for claiming tax savings in 2016. 15 Inexpensive Ways to Make Overnight Holiday Guests Feel at Home. A few minor touches such as slippers and extra towels can make a huge difference in the comfort level of overnight holiday guests -- and their hosts.

No More Bank Fees

The New Year is an opportunity to start fresh, and for many folks that means getting your finances in order. Perhaps it's time to wave goodbye to your bank in favor of one that doesn't charge ridiculous fees and pays relatively high interest.

Switching banks may seem like a big deal, but a few hours of work are all that's usually necessary. It's easy to open a new account, which may require a minimum deposit of $25 or $50. The process can get a bit hairy, however, when it's time to transfer funds from the old account to the new and close out the pre-existing account. (You can't do that before all outstanding checks have cleared and you've notified any company or charity that is paid through an automatic deduction from your account.)

But identifying which bank deserves your business may be the most time-consuming element. We found several banks that offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance. Some also offer free ATM usage nationwide, do not charge overdraft fees, and even pay interest that's as high, if not higher than, rates paid for savings stowed at the major banks.

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Free Checking.

Most of the free checking accounts we found that fit these criteria operate almost entirely online, and may not be suitable for every consumer. For starters, although these no-fee checking accounts accept direct deposits and account holders can deposit checks using a smartphone or computer, depositing cash can be a hassle when there's no branch or ATM nearby. Most customers deal with this by having two accounts, one with a local credit union or a large bank with a local branch, and the other with the online bank. With fees so low and interest rates relatively high, and ATM withdrawal fees almost always refunded, the online banks typically hold most of a customer's assets and support day-to-day spending while the local bank (or branch) serves as an intermediary.

High-Yield Checking Accounts.

For consumers seeking the best return on their assets, high-yield checking accounts offered by regional banks and credit unions are usually the best option. The institutions offering such accounts may not boast the latest technological wizardry, such as taking deposits through smartphones, or the lowest fees, but they're a good choice for anyone who wants to maximize the return on the money in their checking account.

Bankrate posted a list of 56 banks with high-yield checking accounts in 2013; interest rates range from 0.51 percent up to 3.25 percent. Some even provide ATM-fee reimbursements. These accounts often require account holders to sign up for online banking, opt out of paper statements, bring along a monthly direct deposit or online transfer, and use their debit card for a minimum number of purchases each month. Some high-yield accounts are only available to residents of select states or regions (e.g., Jeff Davis Bank for depositors in Louisiana and Southeast Texas) while others can be opened regardless of residency (e.g., Cross Keys Bank). These banks often set a limit on the amount of money that qualifies for the high interest rate, usually somewhere between $10,000 and $25,000; beyond that (or if the requirements aren't met) the rate drops.

Consumers who don't maintain a large balance in their checking account but want to maximize earnings might look into Extra20 Checking, a service promoted by Santander Bank (formerly Sovereign Bank). Customers receive $10 a month for paying two bills through their online account and an additional $10 a month if they have a minimum $1,500 in direct deposits. (Direct deposits are also necessary to avoid a $10 monthly account fee.) Santander charges $3 for each cash withdrawal from other banks' ATMs.

Checking Account Fees Comparison Table

Balance Needed to Avoid Monthly Maintenance Charge

ATM Reimbursements

Overdraft Fee (If Opting In for Overdraft Protection)

Mobile Check Deposits

Interest Rate

Branch Locations

Ally

$0

Nationwide

$9

Yes

0.4 percent (balances up to $15,000) or 0.75 percent (balances over $15,000)